Handheld computer for emergency responders

ABSTRACT

A compact handheld notebook computer using flash memory to store, retrieve and display information needed by emergency responders is designed for prolonged use under severe conditions and utilizes an electrophoretic display to conserve energy and provide a high resolution display more readable than LCD displays.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to handheld computers used to store, retrieve anddisplay information useful to emergency response personnel at the sceneof an automobile accident, explosion, fire, flood, violent crime,terrorist attack, natural catastrophe, or other life-threateningcircumstances. More particularly, this invention relates to compacthandheld computers which are able to withstand hostile environments andfunction reliably in extreme conditions such as often occur in emergencysituations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For first responders at the scene an emergency, the difference betweensaving a life and being too late is often only a matter of minutes, oreven seconds. First responders need quick access to information toenable them to deal safely with the situations they encounter. Forexample, a responder at the scene of an automobile accident may have tocut into a vehicle and extricate an injured occupant. In that situation,the responder will need to know the location of hazardous items, such asfuel tanks, fuel lines, air bags, batteries, which may explode if atorch is applied in the wrong place. The need exists, therefore, toequip emergency responders with a handheld computer with which they canquickly access data to enable them to perform their life-saving taskssafely.

A number of U.S. patents and published patent applications describecomputer systems used for acquiring and distributing emergency responseinformation. Examples are Orr et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,417, Burge,Pub. No. US2002/0103622, Andrew, U.S. Pat. No. 6,882,706, Andrew, Pub.No. US2005/0157853, Veith et al., Pub. No. US2006/0212195, Robinson,U.S. Pat. No. 7,280,038, Herard, Jr., Pub. No. US2007/0103288, Haas etal., Pub. No. US2007/0105528, and Thijs et al., Pub. No. US2007/0218869.Since these systems utilize a central server and network to gather anddistribute data from responders at the emergency scene, they rely onwireless communications links that may not be available at the emergencyscene or may have been disrupted by catastrophic events. Similarly,Larson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,556,904, describes a computer system forsending motor vehicle data from a remote server to a local computer. Buthere again the system depends on network accessibility to operate. Thesenetwork-based systems also involve substantial costs in terms of serverequipment and network administration.

In the marketplace there are software packages that run on personalcomputers and provide information useful to emergency responders. Oneexample is the Crash Recovery System (CRS) software offered by the Dutchcompany Moditech. The CRS software can be installed in a conventionallaptop or tablet personal computer. It accepts vehicle identificationinput either by make/model/year or by license plate number (utilizingthe national DOT database). The CRS system displays top and side viewsof the vehicle indicating location of body components, safety featuresand potentially hazardous components, along with directions for safelyremoving and/or disabling such components.

But several factors limit the utility of such software systems at thescene of an emergency. General purpose personal computers, even those ofthe portable varieties, are not so compact that they will not interferewith the mobility of an emergency responder, who may need to climb,crawl or swim, depending on the circumstances. General purpose personalcomputers are also too delicate to function reliably in hostileenvironments. Such computers require volatile dynamic RAM memory (DRAM),which can only be provided by disk drives. Since disk drives arenotoriously vulnerable to shocks and vibrations, they cannot be reliedupon in turbulent emergency situations. Disk drives also use a lot ofenergy, which either results in short battery life or requires large,heavy batteries. The high rate of energy consumption by personalcomputers with disk-drive RAM also necessitates heat-dissipating fans,which clog and cause overheating in dusty environments.

Another source of high energy consumption in general purpose personalcomputers is the display. The volatile, light-emitting displays of suchcomputers, based on LCD or CRT technology, require a continuous supplyof energy to maintain the displayed images. LCD displays suitable forportable computing devices suffer from limited resolution andconstrained viewing angle, and such displays are obscured in strongambient light, such as direct sunlight or a fire's glare. The lack offine resolution capability is a particular drawback for a very compactcomputer display.

Like the network-based systems, the software-based systems for emergencyresponse data involve high costs of computer equipment and maintenance.

Therefore, the prior art in this field affords no compact computerdevice with the characteristics that would make it suitable for use atthe scene of an emergency. The requisite characteristics include:

-   -   Low equipment and maintenance costs    -   Compact, lightweight, mobile and rugged hardware    -   Low energy demand enabling prolonged use with lightweight        batteries    -   Ability to withstand extreme temperature, pressure, moisture,        smoke, dust and/or kinetic shock    -   Fast and reliable access to needed data

The present invention addresses these requirements by providing acompact hand-held computer device having the following features:

-   -   A small notebook-type configuration with a keypad and display        screen    -   No disk drives, only flash memory    -   Simple operating system handling keypad input and display        functions    -   Embedded operating system and single-application software stored        in flash memory    -   Single-application software for reading a digital database and        displaying text and graphics    -   USB port(s) for plug-in flash memory modules    -   Various emergency database packets stored on multiple plug-in        flash memory modules in HTML format    -   Electrophoretic display with high resolution, viewable at wide        angles and in direct sunlight, with minimal power consumption    -   Optional data connectivity using third generation        telecommunications standard, such as GSM, UMTS or EVDO

The key features that make the present invention suitable for use byemergency responders are the flash memory and electrophoretic display.Unlike DRAM, flash memory is non-volatile, which means no electricalpower is needed to maintain the data stored on the chip. This enablesthe responder to operate the device in the field for many hours withoutthe need for either cumbersome batteries or frequent batteryreplacement/recharging. Flash memory also enables fast access to storeddata and much better kinetic shock resistance than disk-drive memory.These features enable the emergency responder to retrieve safety dataquickly and to avoid hard-drive failures when the computer is jostledaround in chaotic circumstances. Flash memory is also durable and ableto withstand intense pressure, extreme temperature, and immersion inwater, all of which are conditions likely to occur at an emergencyscene.

To complement the energy-conserving non-volatile flash memory, thepresent invention uses an energy-conserving non-volatile electrophoreticdisplay (EPD). EPDs form images by electrophoretic motion of chargedpigment particles. They provide high contrast, high resolution imagescomparable to a printed page. Unlike LCDs, EPDs are viewable in directsunlight at nearly any angle, and they require no power to maintain thedisplayed image. EPDs are widely used in “E-Book” reading devices, suchas the iRex iLiad and the Amazon Kindle. Because they lack the rapidrefresh rate of LCDs, EPDs are not suitable for video applications,which explains why they are not used in general purpose personalcomputers. But they are ideal for viewing static text and graphicimages, which is all the present invention requires.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a compact,light-weight, inexpensive, easy-to-use computer designed specifically tostore, retrieve and display information pertaining to hazardsencountered by emergency responders and to methods for safely dealingwith such hazards.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a handheldemergency response computer that is able to withstand extreme conditionsof temperature, pressure, humidity/moisture, dust, smoke, corrosivefumes, and vibration and operate reliably for long periods in suchhostile environments.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a handheldemergency response computer that can operate reliably for extendedperiods of time without the need for heavy batteries or frequent batteryreplacement/recharging.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a handheldemergency response computer that does not require volatile disk-drivememory, but instead uses non-volatile flash memory, which requires lessenergy and is well adapted to harsh environments.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a handheldemergency response computer that has a simple embedded operating systemsufficient to handle keypad input and display functions and to run oneapplication software that retrieves and displays safety data from adigital database.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a handheldemergency response computer that accesses various interchangeablepackets of safety data stored on plug-in flash memory modules.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a handheldemergency response computer having a compact, high resolution,non-volatile EPD display screen, which conserves energy and is readablein direct light.

All of the foregoing and many other beneficial objectives are achievedby the unique features of the present invention. In its externalstructure, the computer has a compact notebook configuration, comprisingtwo panels attached together by a hinge. The two panels consist of adisplay panel hingeably attached to a keyboard panel. When the notebookis open, the keyboard panel is oriented horizontally and the displaypanel is oriented vertically. The display panel has an obverse facecontaining a display screen and a reverse face consisting of a hardenedshell of durable, corrosion-resistant plastic. The keyboard panel has anobverse face containing a keypad and a reverse face consisting of ahardened shell of durable, corrosion-resistant plastic. A resilientsealing strip is provided along the periphery of the obverse face of thekeyboard panel, such that when the panels are closed together, thesealing strip forms a secure, continuous seal that protects the obversefaces of both panels from exposure to harmful elements. A latchmechanism with cooperating components on the obverse faces of bothpanels secures the panels together when closed. Connected to one or bothof the reverse faces of the two panels are one or more lanyardattachments, whereby the closed computer can be attached to a garment,strap or belt of the emergency responder in order to free both of theirhands for other tasks.

In the panels are components of computer hardware comprising thedisplay, the keypad, one or more embedded flash memory modules, and oneor more USB ports and/or SD card slots. The display screen utilizes anelectrophoretic medium of the type described in a number of patentsassigned to E Ink Corporation, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,304,787 and7,312,916, and the various patents referenced therein. The keypad is ofthe sealed membrane type in order to endure harsh environments. Thekeypad has a full set of alphanumeric keys in standard QWERTY style anda point-and-click device.

In the panels are also components of computer software comprising anembedded operating system (OS) and single-application software, both ofwhich reside in the embedded flash memory module(s). On a plurality ofplug-in flash memory modules are stored packets of various types ofsafety data in digital database format. By way of example, one suchpacket could contain information and graphics on how to handle hazardousmaterials, while another packet could contain information and graphicson how to contain and extinguish certain types of fires. When theappropriate flash memory module in plugged in to one of the USB portand/or SD card slots, the emergency responder can retrieve neededinformation by typing in keywords or clicking on a menu hyperlink.

Safety information stored on any one of the plug-in flash memory modulesis periodically updated by: (i) downloading updated information to apersonal computer from a central databank or website, (ii) plugging theflash memory module into one of the USB ports or SD card slots of thepersonal computer, and (iii) transferring the updated information fromthe personal computer to the flash memory module.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the computer hardware alsoincludes a telecommunications module capable of high-speed datatransmission and reception, using standards such as third-generationGSM, UMTS or EVDO. This feature enables multiple emergency responders toexchange information at the emergency scene or to access data from aremote central databank.

Optionally, the present invention also includes an internal bar-codereader, of the type known the art, and a laser bar-code scanner that canbe plugged into one of the USB ports. This feature enables the computerto access bar-coded data relating to vehicles, such a VIN numbers, orbar-coded data regarding hazardous materials at the emergency scene.

Optionally, the present invention also includes a combination storagerack and battery charger, which can be installed in the cab of anemergency response vehicle so as to provide quick access to the computerand keep it fully charged and ready for use. This computer rack-chargeroperates on the same principles as dashboard-mounted flashlightreceptacle-chargers that are known in the art, such as Thomas, U.S. Pat.No. 4,819,139.

The benefits and capabilities of the present invention will be morefully understood by referring to the drawings and the detaileddescription of the preferred embodiment which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective obverse view of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware and softwareconfiguration in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of the present invention10 has a compact notebook configuration, comprising two panels 11attached together by a hinge 32. The two panels 11 consist of a displaypanel 12 hingeably attached to a keyboard panel 13. When the notebook isopen, the keyboard panel 13 is oriented horizontally and the displaypanel 12 is oriented vertically. The display panel 12 has an obverseface 14 containing a display screen 15 and a reverse face 16 consistingof a hardened shell of durable, corrosion-resistant plastic. Thekeyboard panel 13 has an obverse face 17 containing a keypad 18 and areverse face 19 consisting of a hardened shell of durable,corrosion-resistant plastic. A resilient sealing strip 20 is providedalong the periphery of the obverse face 17 of the keyboard panel 13,such that when the panels 11 are closed together the sealing strip 20forms a secure, continuous seal that protects the obverse faces 14 17 ofboth panels 11 from exposure to harmful elements. A latch mechanism 33with cooperating components on the obverse faces 14 17 of both panels 11secures the panels together when closed. Connected to one or both of thereverse faces 16 19 of the two panels 11 are one or more lanyardattachments 21, whereby the closed computer can be attached to agarment, strap or belt of the emergency responder in order to free bothof their hands for other tasks.

In the panels 11 are components of computer hardware comprising thedisplay screen 15, the keypad 18, one or more embedded flash memorymodules 23, and one or more USB ports and/or SD card slots 24. Thedisplay screen 15 utilizes an electrophoretic medium of the typedescribed in a number of patents assigned to E Ink Corporation,including U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,304,787 and 7,312,916, and the variouspatents referenced therein. The keypad 18 is of the sealed membrane typein order to endure harsh environments. The keypad 18 has a full set ofalphanumeric keys 25 in standard QWERTY style and a point-and-clickdevice 26.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the panels 11 also contain components ofcomputer software comprising an embedded operating system (OS) 22 andsingle-application software 28, both of which reside in the embeddedflash memory module(s) 23. On a plurality of plug-in flash memorymodules 29 are stored packets of various types of safety data in digitaldatabase format (labeled A, B, C and D in FIG. 2). By way of example,one such packet could contain information and graphics on how to handlehazardous materials, while another packet could contain information andgraphics on how to contain and extinguish certain types of fires. Whenthe appropriate flash memory module 29 is plugged in to one of the USBports and/or SD card slots 24, the emergency responder can retrieveneeded information by typing in keywords using the alphanumeric keys 25or clicking on a menu link using the point-and-click device 26.

Safety information stored on any one of the plug-in USB flash memorymodules 29 is periodically updated by: (i) downloading updatedinformation to a personal computer (not shown) from a central databankor website, (ii) plugging the flash memory module 29 into one of the USBports or SD card slots of the personal computer, and (iii) transferringthe updated information from the personal computer to the flash memorymodule 29.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the computer hardware alsoincludes a telecommunications module 30 capable of high-speed datatransmission and reception, using standards such as third-generationGSM, UMTS or EVDO. This feature enables multiple emergency responders toexchange information at the emergency scene or to access data from aremote central databank.

Optionally, the present invention also includes an internal bar-codereader 31, of the type known the art, and a laser bar-code scanner (notshown) that can be plugged into one of the USB ports. This featureenables the computer to access bar-coded data relating to vehicles, sucha VIN numbers, or bar-coded data regarding hazardous materials at theemergency scene.

Optionally, the present invention also includes a combination storagerack and battery charger (not shown), which can be installed in the cabof an emergency response vehicle so as to provide quick access to thecomputer and keep it fully charged and ready for use.

To illustrate how an emergency responder would use the presentinvention, let us consider an accident scene in which an unconscious,injured driver is pinned inside his wrecked automobile. The responderneeds to extricate the driver so that first aid can be administered andso that the driver may be placed in an ambulance. But to extricate thedriver safely, the responder needs to know the location of variousvehicle hazards, such as fuel tanks, un-inflated airbags, etc. On one ofthe plug-in flash memory modules 29 is a data packet containing hazardinformation for various types of motor vehicles. The responder plugsthis module 29 into one of the USB ports or SD card slots 24, whereuponthe operating system 27 recognizes the module 29 and opens theapplication software 28 to read and display its contents. If theresponder is able to identify the vehicle's make, model and year byinspection, he can key in the identification or click on a menuhyperlink. If the responder cannot identify the vehicle by inspectionbut can read the license plate or VIN numbers, he can use thetelecommunications module 30 to access a vehicle registration databank.Alternately, he can obtain the VIN number of the vehicle using thebar-code reader 31 if the vehicle has VIN bar-codes.

Once the appropriate vehicle identification is entered, the displayscreen 15 will show one or more views of the vehicle indicating thelocations of critical hazard items such as fuel tanks, batteries,airbags, etc. The high resolution of the EPD display 15 makes thegraphic display readable despite its compact size. The keypad 18 enablesthe responder to zoom in on graphic details of each hazard item. Each ofthe hazard items also has a hyperlink label, which the responder canclick on to obtain further information. If, for example, he notices thatone of the airbags has not deployed, he can click on the hyperlink forthe airbag and obtain instructions on how to safely disable it.

While this invention has been described with reference to a specificembodiment, the description is not to be construed in a limiting sense.Various modifications of the disclosed embodiment, as well otherembodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in theart upon reference to this description. It is therefore contemplatedthat the appended claims will cover any such modifications orembodiments that fall within the true scope of this invention.

1. A compact computer comprising: (a) a keypad having a plurality ofalphanumeric keys, one or more function keys, and a point-and-clickdevice; (b) a display screen capable of displaying static text andgraphics; (c) an internal power source; (d) one or more USB ports and/orSD card slots; (e) one or more flash memory modules that are pluggedinto the USB port(s) and/or SD card slots, on which flash memory modulesare stored safety information in digital database format; and (f) one ormore embedded flash memory modules, on which are stored an embeddedoperating system and an application software, such that the operatingsystem responds to input from the keypad by activating the applicationsoftware to retrieve the information stored on the flash memory moduleand to display the information on the display screen.
 2. The compactcomputer according to claim 1, wherein the keypad is part of an obverseface of a keyboard panel, a reverse face of which comprises a hard shellof durable, corrosion resistant plastic, and wherein the display screenis part of an obverse face of a display panel, a reverse face of whichcomprises a hard shell of durable, corrosion resistant plastic, andwherein the keyboard panel and the display panel are hingeably attachedto one another and are secured to one another in a closed position by alatch mechanism, such that the external structure of the compactcomputer is that of a notebook, and such that when the compact computeris open, the keyboard panel is oriented horizontally and the displaypanel is oriented vertically.
 3. The compact computer according to claim2, wherein one or more resilient sealing strips are provided along theperiphery of the obverse face of the keyboard panel and/or along theperiphery of the obverse face of the display panel, such that when thekeyboard and display panels are closed together, the sealing strips forma secure, continuous seal that protects the obverse faces of both panelsfrom exposure to harmful elements.
 4. The compact computer according toclaim 3, wherein there are, affixed to the reverse face of the displaypanel and/or the keyboard panel, one or more lanyard attachments,whereby the compact computer, when not in use, can be attached to asecuring means, such as a garment, a strap, a cord, a thong or a belt,and can thus be carried in a hands-free mode.
 5. The compact computeraccording to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the safety informationstored in digital database format on the flash memory modules relates toemergency situations and/or provides instructions as to how to safelydeal with emergency situations.
 6. The compact computer according to anyone of claims 1-4, wherein the keypad is a sealed membrane keypadcapable of operating in harsh environments.
 7. The compact computeraccording to claim 5, wherein the keypad is a sealed membrane keypadcapable of operating in harsh environments.
 8. A compact computercomprising: (a) a keypad having a plurality of alphanumeric keys, one ormore function keys, and a point-and-click device; (b) an electrophoreticdisplay screen capable of displaying high-resolution static text andgraphics; (c) an internal power source comprising one or morerechargeable batteries; (d) one or more USB ports and/or SD card slots;(e) one or more flash and/or proprietary memory modules that are pluggedinto the USB port(s) and/or SD card slots, on which memory modules isstored safety information in a digital database, which informationrelates to emergency situations and/or provides instructions as to howto safely deal with emergency situations; and (f) one or more embeddedflash memory modules, on which are stored an embedded operating systemand an application software, such that the operating system responds toinput from the keypad by activating the application software to querythe database and retrieve the information stored on the memory moduleand to display the information on the display screen within apurpose-written application or webpage served by a locally runningweb-server.
 9. The compact computer according to claim 8, wherein thekeypad is part of an obverse face of a keyboard panel, a reverse face ofwhich comprises a hard shell of durable, corrosion resistant plastic,and wherein the display screen is part of an obverse face of a displaypanel, a reverse face of which comprises a hard shell of durable,corrosion resistant plastic, and wherein the keyboard panel and thedisplay panel are hingeably attached to one another and are secured toone another in a closed position by a latch mechanism, such that theexternal structure of the compact computer is that of a notebook, andsuch that when the compact computer is open, the keyboard panel isoriented horizontally and the display panel is oriented vertically. 10.The compact computer according to claim 9, wherein the function keys areused in conjunction with the point-and-click device to control the sizeof one or more selected details of text and/or graphics on the displayscreen, so as to zoom in or zoom out on the selected details.
 11. Thecompact computer according to claim 10, wherein one or more resilientsealing strips are provided along the periphery of the obverse face ofthe keyboard panel and/or along the periphery of the obverse face of thedisplay panel, such that when the keyboard and display panels are closedtogether, the sealing strips form a secure, continuous seal thatprotects the obverse faces of both panels from exposure to harmfulelements.
 12. The compact computer according to claim 11, wherein thereare, affixed to the reverse face of the display panel and/or thekeyboard panel, one or more lanyard attachments, whereby the compactcomputer, when not in use, can be attached to a securing means, such asa garment, a strap, a cord, a thong or a belt, and can thus be carriedin a hands-free mode.
 13. The compact computer according to any one ofclaims 8-12, wherein the keypad is a sealed membrane keypad capable ofoperating in harsh environments.
 14. A compact computer comprising: (a)a sealed-membrane keypad having a plurality of alphanumeric keys, one ormore function keys, and a point-and-click device; (b) an electrophoreticdisplay screen capable of displaying high-resolution static text andgraphics; (d) an internal power source comprising one or morerechargeable batteries; (e) one or more USB ports and/or SD card slots;(f) one or more flash memory modules that are plugged into the USBport(s) and/or SD card slots, on which USB flash memory modules arestored safety information in digital database format, which informationrelates to emergency situations and/or provides instructions as to howto safely deal with emergency situations; (g) one or more embedded flashmemory modules, on which are stored an embedded operating system and anapplication software, such that the operating system responds to inputfrom the keypad by activating the application software to retrieve theinformation stored on the flash memory module and to display theinformation on the display screen; and (f) a telecommunications modulecapable of high-speed data transmission and reception, such that datafrom the internet or from remote computers can be downloaded anddisplayed on the display screen.
 15. The compact computer according toclaim 14, wherein the keypad is part of an obverse face of a keyboardpanel, a reverse face of which comprises a hard shell of durable,corrosion resistant plastic, and wherein the display screen is part ofan obverse face of a display panel, a reverse face of which comprises ahard shell of durable, corrosion resistant plastic, and wherein thekeyboard panel and the display panel are hingeably attached to oneanother and one secured to one another in a closed position by a latchmechanism, such that the external structure of the compact computer isthat of a notebook, and such that when the compact computer is open, thekeyboard panel is oriented horizontally and the display panel isoriented vertically.
 16. The compact computer according to claim 15,wherein the function keys are used in conjunction with thepoint-and-click device to control the size of one or more selecteddetails of text and/or graphics on the display screen, so as to zoom inor zoom out on the selected details.
 17. The compact computer accordingto claim 16, wherein one or more resilient sealing strips are providedalong the periphery of the obverse face of the keyboard panel and/oralong the periphery of the obverse face of the display panel, such thatwhen the keyboard and display panels are closed together, the sealingstrips form a secure, continuous seal that protects the obverse faces ofboth panels from exposure to harmful elements.
 18. The compact computeraccording to claim 17, wherein there are, affixed to the reverse face ofthe display panel and/or the keyboard panel, one or more lanyardattachments, whereby the compact computer, when not in use, can beattached to a securing means, such as a garment, a strap, a cord, athong or a belt, and can thus be carried in a hands-free mode.
 19. Thecompact computer according to claim 18, further comprising an internalbar-code reader that can be connected to a bar-code scanner through oneof the USB ports, such that the bar-code reader converts bar-coded datainto an alphanumeric input that can be processed by the operating systemand displayed on the display screen.
 20. The compact computer accordingto claim 19, further comprising a combination storage rack and batterycharger, which is installed in a vehicle having a vehicular battery,such that the compact computer, when not in use, is cradled in thestorage rack and the rechargeable batteries of the compact computer arecharged through an electrical connection from the vehicular battery tothe combination storage rack and battery charger.